17 Jan 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  06:45 – 09:40
The Flash:  09:45 – 10:35

1°C:  Fine and clear after overnight showers: frost developing.  Light / moderate NW wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 08:13 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:45 – 09:40

(17th visit of the year)

Bird notes
- an adult Mute Swan arrived from the E at 08:30 and was chased mercilessly by both residents. I did not see it actually leave so not sure whether one from the E at 09:00 was the same one trying his luck again or a newbie. It too was chased hard and at one stage forced to crash in to the scrub at the W end from where it was chased out by the cob and took to the wing and left
- the goose party was on the lake by 06:50 – whether a very early arrival or they had over-nighted I cannot not be sure. A single Greylag Goose with them. Three others look ‘smaller’ – probably females which average smaller
- those masters of disappearing Little Grebe gave me a problem. Certainly 3 birds but was there a 4th?
- 85 Black-headed Gulls arrived much later than yesterday at 07:30 and landed straight away. No more that 30 additional birds came in thereafter. Why are numbers so variable?
- in contrast Jackdaws were earlier this morning: from 07:23. At this time one of the groups passed to the W of my (disad)vantage spot and I was unable to locate these black birds against the dark sky – looking E to the dawn was easy
- 5 of the 7 Reed Buntings I saw leaving roosts were over the lake and away before I could see where they came from. Later 2 left the W end. Singles also calling along the N side and S side

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 5 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull again
- 7 Wood Pigeons
- c.600 Jackdaws
- 2 Rooks

Birds recorded leaving roosts around the lake
- [Magpies not counted]
- 1 Redwing
- 7 Reed Buntings (see notes)

The counts from the lake area:
- 3 (or 4?) Mute Swans
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 9 Canada Geese
- 6 (3♂) Gadwall again
- 11 (8♂) Mallard
- 8 (3♂) Pochard
- 22 (12♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant
- 3 (or 4?) Little Grebes
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 9 Moorhens
- [Coots not counted]
- c.115 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

Nothing logged on lamp poles – too cold and windy? But
- Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) found in flower

The visiting Mute Swan arrives.

... and the resident cob springs in to battle ...

... and comes charging in ...

... having the desired effect.

This is either the same bird returning for more punishment or an innocent.

The residents had been celebrating their success and now the cob had to charge off again ...

... all guns blazing (or whatever the term is in swan-speak).

Having chased the visitor in to the weeds the resident cob – the bird with the blue Darvic ring – is on the warpath again. A Moorhen wisely dives for cover.

... and the poor pen is obliged to duck (swan?) as the battle continues.

“I’d better leave then”.

A rather typical view of a Little Grebe pattering away across the water. I suppose it makes more sense than flying?

Interesting behaviour. This Wood Pigeon was sitting on the branch and reaching in to the Ivy to pluck the ripening Ivy berries. Ivy is a very important resource in winter with the late flowers attracting hoverflies and the like. Then the berries ripen after all the hawthorns have been eaten.

Typically acrobatic Siskins: a male here.

A less bright bird with more streaks. I assumed a female when I took the photo: now I see the crown looks to have dark streaks so probably a first winter male.

There are usually a few umbellifer flowers around in winter. This winter I have struggled to find any – until today. Here is some Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium).

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:45 – 10:35

(16th visit of the year)

Notes from here
- Gadwall seem to have gone
- perhaps discovered why Mallard numbers so variable: some have taken to hiding inside the island until food is available
- the Ring-necked Parakeet less noisy and conspicuous

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 2 Jackdaws

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 9 Canada Geese
- 42 (25♂) Mallard only
- 41 (19♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Grey Heron
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 6 Moorhens
- 23 Coots again
- 35 Black-headed Gulls

A few of the Canada Geese flew in. Here a trio approaches.

Still need to work on the tightness and the synchronisation of the landing before the Red Arrows have anything to worry about.

A rather better view of the pair of Great Crested Grebes – they did a short head-shaking display today. Looking carefully at the leading bird, the one I had assumed was a first-year bird, I am less sure. There is no trace of the juvenile face stripes remaining and we can see a few dark streaks that will grow in to the chestnut plumes.

There was food in the offing: a gathering awaits.

No manners: everyone for themselves!

A real melee.

Two first winter Black-headed Gulls dance their way to the food.

A quarrelsome species and apparently no respecter of their elders with a first winter attacking an adult that presumably has food.

(Ed Wilson)

Note:

1. Click Here for a Summary of the 2018 Priorslee Lake Report.

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On this day..........

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
57 Magpies
10 Pochard
64 Tufted Duck
119 Coots counted
>500 Black-headed Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
18 Redwings
>1500 Jackdaws
>325 Rooks
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1st-winter female Velvet Scoter
102 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson and Unknown Observer)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Wigeon
4 Gadwall 
21 Pochard 
80 Tufted Ducks
1 Greater Scaup
1 Goldeneye
155 Coots
Snipe
Woodcock
Kingfisher
113 Redwing
30 Siskins
(Ed Wilson, Mike Cooper)

The Flash
31 Tufted Duck
50 Goldfinches
1 Redpoll.
(Ed Wilson)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
Caspian Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
(Tom Lowe)

2012
Priorslee Lake
2 Shoveler
21 Pochard
95 Tufted Duck
3 Yellow-legged Gulls
15 Great Black-backed Gulls
117 Redwings
12 Greenfinches
(Ed Wilson / John Isherwood)

The Wrekin
6 Marsh Tit
2 Brambling
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
4 Cormorants
4 Pink-footed Geese
3 Greylag Geese
16 Pochard 
35 Tufted Ducks
1 Goldeneye
>600 Black-headed Gulls
>487 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
94 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
24 Robins
11 Blackbirds
8 Redwings
1 Willow Tit
39 Magpies
205 Jackdaws
76 Rooks
12 Greenfinches
3 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
12 Great Crested Grebes
2 Gadwall
11 Pochard 
11 Tufted Duck
213 Coot
1 Water Rail
c.360 Black-headed Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
169 Jackdaws
117 Rooks
220 Wood Pigeons
21 Robins
20 Blackbirds
2 Willow Tits
41 Siskins
4 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)